The Chargers won 11 games and made the postseason for the second consecutive season in 2025 despite going the majority of the season without two cornerstone pieces on the offensive line and quarterback Justin Herbert suffering a broken hand around the midway point.
They succeeded numerous times where most teams would come up short and that’s a massive testament to the culture and quality of players the Chargers have in the locker room. Still, you’d be surprised to find out that only three Bolts made
it on CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco’s Top 100 Players of 2026.
You’re more than likely able to guess who those players are, but where exactly did they land in his top 100? Let’s go ahead and take a look to see if these guys were done any justice.
50.) S Derwin James
Prisco: He’s one of those safeties who can do it all. He can cover, play near the line of scrimmage and blitz. He’s had two straight good seasons after a so-so 2023 campaign. (Last season: No. 95)
It’s about time Prisco shot James up his rankings. Last season, despite coming off a Second-Team All-pro honor, Prisco still had James ranked all the way down at No. 95. This year, he’s dead smack in the middle at No. 50 following another nod to the second team.
James started all 16 games he played in this past season, recording 94 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions (tied career high), seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He was once again everywhere for the Chargers and it showed with their defense once again finishing the season in the top five for total defense and pass defense.
63.) QB Justin Herbert
Prisco: He played in 16 games last year, throwing 26 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He clearly played through injuries for some of those games, but I expect his numbers to improve with Mike McDaniel calling plays this season. (Last season: No. 49)
Herbert unsurprisingly regressed in the interception department after throwing just three during the entirety of the 2024 regular season. His 13 interceptions were the second-highest total of his career but honestly, how can anyone blame him after watching all 18 games from 2025. He was peeled off the ground more times than you can count and he never once threw a teammate under the bus. Now, chances are that regression to the mean will hit yet again, but in a positive direction.
Behind a healthy offensive line and a new offensive system that should help alleviate the pressure off his shoulder on a down-by-down basis, Herbert should push for some career efficiency numbers, all while taking far, far less hits.
97.) OT Rashawn Slater
Prisco: He is coming off a ruptured patella tendon, which is something to monitor. But at his best, he’s a top-level left tackle. (Last season: No. 38)
Despite missing the entire season due to a torn patellar tendon, Slater is still viewed as one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL when healthy. The unfortunate of that is the emphasis on “when healthy.”
Without him, the Chargers were forced to play a number of different players on the blindside and not a single one was close to serviceable. It truly cemented just how important he is to the team and especially to Herbert’s health.
Mike McDaniel’s system is a perfect fit for an uber-athletic blocker like Slater and I’m truly excited to see how he performs this year. Slater has not been named to an all-pro team since he was a rookie (second team) and I have a gut feeling that this year will change that if he can stay on the field in any major capacity.
